Heli Extravaganza - 2012/12

“[This was] an extremely
well organized event
in the perfect flying
environment—an event
that will gain even more
traction and certainly
has the facilities to
accommodate it. Honestly,
[it was] one of the most
enjoyable fun-flys I’ve
been to all year, and
was quickly put on the
‘can’t miss’ list.”
—A.J. Jaffe
Fun. Fellowship. Hospiality.
Those are the words that Pat
Hartness used to describe the
Triple Tree Aerodrome and the
full-scale and model enthusiasts
who use the facility for the
many events. The RC helicopter
community took those words
to heart, and proved it with the
fi rst all-helicopter event to be
held at the site.
Steve Rogers was co-CD, with Darrell Sprayberry
manning the Scale portion of the event.
The author caught this aerial photo of the Heli Extravaganza from a Piper
Cub, flown by Triple Tree sta member Pat Derrick. Many of the pilots who
attended camped in RVs or tents by the pond or along the woods behind
the flightline.the same grounds as the popular Joe Nall and eWeek events.
It was amazing that so many people attended and stayed until
the end for this inaugural event. Was it the beautiful grounds
and views, or the full-scale aircraft that buzzed around and
took off every now and then that made them stay? Or was it
the warm weather and the sun setting over the ponds in the
evenings?
To be at the Triple Tree Aerodrome and to fl y there left
many in awe, but it really all came back around to those
three little words that Pat spoke of during dinner Thursday
night: fun, fellowship, and hospitality. One more word should,
however, be added to that equation: fl ying. The heli pilots love
to fl y!
Steve Rogers, Clint Akins, and Darrell Sprayberry had been
managing the helicopter section for the Triple Tree staff at Joe
Nall since its fl ightline opened approximately four years ago,
and for the last couple of years at eWeek.From the start, Steve and Clint, who both work for Castle
Creations, and Darrell, a sponsored Castle pilot, Scale Nats
CD, and well-known Scale helicopter builder, had expressed
how much they would like to have an all-helicopter event at
Triple Tree. The only issue was that there had never been an
“unoffi cial” Triple Tree event held on the grounds.
The three persisted, and it fi nally paid off. They were given
the fi nal okay by Triple Tree staff during Joe Nall 2012 to hold
an event. There was little time to plan, set a date (and fi nd
a weekend that would not coincide with any other events),
gather sponsors, and organize.
Word quickly spread that the helicopter community would
have its own fun-fl y at the facility, but how the event would
actually go—or what the turnout would be—would be
unknown until it happened.
“Events at Triple Tree are known for larger-than-normal
numbers,” Steve said, “but there’s always a chance of a fi rstyear
event yielding a small number. You presume [that] larger
than normal number, but deep down you have to be prepared
for what you get if it’s smaller than the presumption.”
This event was similar to other RC helicopter fl y-ins. Pilots
arrived and staked out their spaces with canopies and/or tables
and chairs. Those who preregistered were eligible for raffl e
prizes that included a Gaui 200 helicopter kit combo, DJI
Flame Wheel F450, and various items from KDE Direct and
KBDD. Experience RC brought its mobile store trailer.
A dinner was held Saturday night for the pilots, and a live
band provided entertainment. Professional and sponsored
pilots fl ew during the day among beginner and intermediate
pilots, and night rigs lit the sky in the evenings.
What made this event special was where it took place, the
people who came to participate, and the reaction that the
Triple Tree staff received.For those who had been to Triple
Tree for other events, the scenery
was nothing new—lush Bermuda
grass, two ponds from which to fl y
fl oatplanes, a hangar with beautiful
full-scale airplanes and RC aircraft
and memorabilia, acres of fi eld to fl y
any size aircraft, and even a bathhouse
with marble sink tops and built-in
hairdryers.
But for the fi rst-time visitor, there is
something almost magical about this
place and being able to fl y here. For
a smaller-scale event such as the Heli
Extravaganza, it was a chance for the
sponsored pilots to take a breather,
relax, have fun, fl y, and catch up with
friends whom they don’t normally get
to talk to when they’re under pressure
at larger fun-fl ys.
Hospitality reigned—and it didn’t go
unnoticed. Steve Rogers said the Triple
Tree staff was impressed. “The respect
for the facility and the appreciation
that was shown by the attendees made
a very big impression on the staff and
I was asked Friday night if I wanted
to make this an annual event and
naturally I said yes!” Steve said.
Pat Derrick, Triple Tree staff member,
added, “I thought it was a great event
and all the heli guys and gals were
super—very respectful of the Triple
Tree grounds and a treat to be around.
I would hope that this was the fi rst of
many years of Heli Extravaganza to
come.”
These sentiments were echoed
by those who attended. Kudos were
given to the facility, to Steve, Darrell,
and Clint for running the event so
smoothly, to the 101 participating
registered pilots, and to those who
came as spectators. Many feel this is
one of those events to watch, because
it will quickly grow.
Late Sunday at the fi eld, as the sun
began setting over the pond and the
weekend wound down, the remaining
pilots refl ected on how neat it was
to have the entire fl ying fi eld to
themselves, and what a great time it
“The facility was outstanding and with over 100
pilots the very first year, I’m certain it will be over
500 pilots in a year or two.”—Michael Fortunewas just being there among the
helicopter community.
It’s a tight-knit group that’s
more like an extended family.
Everyone is friendly and willing
to help others—whether he or
she is a beginner or a professional
who has been fl ying for many
years. This was something seen
throughout the Heli Extravaganza.
Wherever you looked, people
were gathered in groups, laughing
and smiling, watching fellow
pilots fl y, helping someone out
with parts or advice, and having a
great time. Everyone was relaxed
and happy to be there.
More pilots than usual lingered
late into Sunday (which is
unusual when many have to travel
a great distance to home), not
wanting it to end. Many said they
would defi nitely be back next
year.
Steve, Clint, and Darrell have
begun thinking about next year
and what they can do to bring
more of the same feeling to the
second annual event.
“The fi rst annual Heli
Extravaganza is now passed.” said
Steve. “As for next year’s ideas, [I]
can’t give that away right now!”
Did the Heli Extravaganza meet
the expectations of organizers?
According to Steve, yes—and then
some!
“The idea is not to just have a
bigger event, but a quality event—
something for everyone and full
use of the amenities at the facility.
Build it and they will come!”
Don’t miss the chance to visit
the Triple Tree Aerodrome and
Heli Extravaganza next year.
SOURCES:
Heli Extravaganza
www.heliextravaganza.com
Triple Tree Aerodrome
www.tripletreeaerodrome.comFor me this was an awesome event. I had not been to Triple Tree in several years
and had forgotten what a great facility it is! I was amazed at how smoothly
the event ran. After all, this was the event’s first year. I believe that a
dedicated heli event at Triple Tree was overdue and I will be attending it yearly.
Many thanks to those who organized the event. Keep up the good work!”
—Alan Butler

“[This was] an extremely
well organized event
in the perfect flying
environment—an event
that will gain even more
traction and certainly
has the facilities to
accommodate it. Honestly,
[it was] one of the most
enjoyable fun-flys I’ve
been to all year, and
was quickly put on the
‘can’t miss’ list.”
—A.J. Jaffe
Fun. Fellowship. Hospiality.
Those are the words that Pat
Hartness used to describe the
Triple Tree Aerodrome and the
full-scale and model enthusiasts
who use the facility for the
many events. The RC helicopter
community took those words
to heart, and proved it with the
fi rst all-helicopter event to be
held at the site.
Steve Rogers was co-CD, with Darrell Sprayberry
manning the Scale portion of the event.
The author caught this aerial photo of the Heli Extravaganza from a Piper
Cub, flown by Triple Tree sta member Pat Derrick. Many of the pilots who
attended camped in RVs or tents by the pond or along the woods behind
the flightline.the same grounds as the popular Joe Nall and eWeek events.
It was amazing that so many people attended and stayed until
the end for this inaugural event. Was it the beautiful grounds
and views, or the full-scale aircraft that buzzed around and
took off every now and then that made them stay? Or was it
the warm weather and the sun setting over the ponds in the
evenings?
To be at the Triple Tree Aerodrome and to fl y there left
many in awe, but it really all came back around to those
three little words that Pat spoke of during dinner Thursday
night: fun, fellowship, and hospitality. One more word should,
however, be added to that equation: fl ying. The heli pilots love
to fl y!
Steve Rogers, Clint Akins, and Darrell Sprayberry had been
managing the helicopter section for the Triple Tree staff at Joe
Nall since its fl ightline opened approximately four years ago,
and for the last couple of years at eWeek.From the start, Steve and Clint, who both work for Castle
Creations, and Darrell, a sponsored Castle pilot, Scale Nats
CD, and well-known Scale helicopter builder, had expressed
how much they would like to have an all-helicopter event at
Triple Tree. The only issue was that there had never been an
“unoffi cial” Triple Tree event held on the grounds.
The three persisted, and it fi nally paid off. They were given
the fi nal okay by Triple Tree staff during Joe Nall 2012 to hold
an event. There was little time to plan, set a date (and fi nd
a weekend that would not coincide with any other events),
gather sponsors, and organize.
Word quickly spread that the helicopter community would
have its own fun-fl y at the facility, but how the event would
actually go—or what the turnout would be—would be
unknown until it happened.
“Events at Triple Tree are known for larger-than-normal
numbers,” Steve said, “but there’s always a chance of a fi rstyear
event yielding a small number. You presume [that] larger
than normal number, but deep down you have to be prepared
for what you get if it’s smaller than the presumption.”
This event was similar to other RC helicopter fl y-ins. Pilots
arrived and staked out their spaces with canopies and/or tables
and chairs. Those who preregistered were eligible for raffl e
prizes that included a Gaui 200 helicopter kit combo, DJI
Flame Wheel F450, and various items from KDE Direct and
KBDD. Experience RC brought its mobile store trailer.
A dinner was held Saturday night for the pilots, and a live
band provided entertainment. Professional and sponsored
pilots fl ew during the day among beginner and intermediate
pilots, and night rigs lit the sky in the evenings.
What made this event special was where it took place, the
people who came to participate, and the reaction that the
Triple Tree staff received.For those who had been to Triple
Tree for other events, the scenery
was nothing new—lush Bermuda
grass, two ponds from which to fl y
fl oatplanes, a hangar with beautiful
full-scale airplanes and RC aircraft
and memorabilia, acres of fi eld to fl y
any size aircraft, and even a bathhouse
with marble sink tops and built-in
hairdryers.
But for the fi rst-time visitor, there is
something almost magical about this
place and being able to fl y here. For
a smaller-scale event such as the Heli
Extravaganza, it was a chance for the
sponsored pilots to take a breather,
relax, have fun, fl y, and catch up with
friends whom they don’t normally get
to talk to when they’re under pressure
at larger fun-fl ys.
Hospitality reigned—and it didn’t go
unnoticed. Steve Rogers said the Triple
Tree staff was impressed. “The respect
for the facility and the appreciation
that was shown by the attendees made
a very big impression on the staff and
I was asked Friday night if I wanted
to make this an annual event and
naturally I said yes!” Steve said.
Pat Derrick, Triple Tree staff member,
added, “I thought it was a great event
and all the heli guys and gals were
super—very respectful of the Triple
Tree grounds and a treat to be around.
I would hope that this was the fi rst of
many years of Heli Extravaganza to
come.”
These sentiments were echoed
by those who attended. Kudos were
given to the facility, to Steve, Darrell,
and Clint for running the event so
smoothly, to the 101 participating
registered pilots, and to those who
came as spectators. Many feel this is
one of those events to watch, because
it will quickly grow.
Late Sunday at the fi eld, as the sun
began setting over the pond and the
weekend wound down, the remaining
pilots refl ected on how neat it was
to have the entire fl ying fi eld to
themselves, and what a great time it
“The facility was outstanding and with over 100
pilots the very first year, I’m certain it will be over
500 pilots in a year or two.”—Michael Fortunewas just being there among the
helicopter community.
It’s a tight-knit group that’s
more like an extended family.
Everyone is friendly and willing
to help others—whether he or
she is a beginner or a professional
who has been fl ying for many
years. This was something seen
throughout the Heli Extravaganza.
Wherever you looked, people
were gathered in groups, laughing
and smiling, watching fellow
pilots fl y, helping someone out
with parts or advice, and having a
great time. Everyone was relaxed
and happy to be there.
More pilots than usual lingered
late into Sunday (which is
unusual when many have to travel
a great distance to home), not
wanting it to end. Many said they
would defi nitely be back next
year.
Steve, Clint, and Darrell have
begun thinking about next year
and what they can do to bring
more of the same feeling to the
second annual event.
“The fi rst annual Heli
Extravaganza is now passed.” said
Steve. “As for next year’s ideas, [I]
can’t give that away right now!”
Did the Heli Extravaganza meet
the expectations of organizers?
According to Steve, yes—and then
some!
“The idea is not to just have a
bigger event, but a quality event—
something for everyone and full
use of the amenities at the facility.
Build it and they will come!”
Don’t miss the chance to visit
the Triple Tree Aerodrome and
Heli Extravaganza next year.
SOURCES:
Heli Extravaganza
www.heliextravaganza.com
Triple Tree Aerodrome
www.tripletreeaerodrome.comFor me this was an awesome event. I had not been to Triple Tree in several years
and had forgotten what a great facility it is! I was amazed at how smoothly
the event ran. After all, this was the event’s first year. I believe that a
dedicated heli event at Triple Tree was overdue and I will be attending it yearly.
Many thanks to those who organized the event. Keep up the good work!”
—Alan Butler